Google tweaks Search and News results to direct people to trusted sources
rolling out some updates for and it hopes to reduce the spread of misinformation. Since last June, the company has applied labels to results for “rapidly evolving topics,” including things like breaking news and viral videos. It may suggest checking back later for more details as they become clearer. Starting in the US (in English) today, the labels will include some informative tips.
The idea is to help people assess whether the information they see about a rapidly growing topic is legitimate. It will suggest actions such as checking publication dates and searching for author names to find out if they are trustworthy. Taking information at face value is rarely the wisest approach, so it’s good to see Google encouraging users to dig a little deeper.
In Google News, there will be a new label under Top Stories to indicate sources that have been widely cited by other news organizations. It can be applied to things like a news story from local newspapers, an interview, an investigative feature, an announcement, or even a press release that other publishers have. linked with. Google says it’s also interested in using labels to highlight the original report.
Again, the intent is to help users find information more useful and relevant. The label will initially be available on mobile in the US (again, in English only). Google plans to roll it out worldwide in the coming weeks.
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